Today in history: Remembering turtles that vanished from Mobile

View full sizeThe diamondback terrapin is currently listed as a species of concern in Alabama. (NOAA via Wikipedia Commons)

Friday, February 17, 1911:

• "Richard Murray, aged 53 years, died suddenly at his home, corner Theatre and St. Emanuel streets, Thursday at noon. Deceased was a member of the firm of Murray & Pepper, and general manager of the Bay Steamship Company. ... On the docks, Thursday, immediately after his death the flags of the different steamship lines touching Mobile were placed at half mast, as were also the flags at the pilot office and the office of the harbormaster."

• "Four turtles in a window of a local cafe yesterday caused considerable comment, some of the old residents of Mobile recalling the time when Mobile was famous for the fine turtles nearly always to be had here. One resident of the city who remembered the time when the striped-head turtle was particularly plentiful in this section had the following to say on the subject:

" 'In years gone by Mobile was famous for her supply of turtles, which were peculiar to this place and were designated 'Mobilians.' ... They are known in the New Orleans market as 'Mobilians.' ... This turtle has almost entirely disappeared from Alabama waters.

" 'Nearly the same scarcity applies to the celebrated diamond back terrapin, which twenty years ago was very abundant on the south shore. At one time Mr. Mulford Dorlon, father of Tax Collector Dorlon, who was popularly known as 'Uncle Mul,' located and operated a very large terrapin farm very successfully at Cedar Point, the home of Alabama oysters.' "

• "Before Major C.A. Flagler of the local corps of United States civil engineers, at 1 o'clock ... March 2, there will be a hearing in the matter of the proposed construction of a bridge by the Dauphin Island Railway and Harbor Company, which will connect Dauphin Island with the mainland."

• "Falling into two feet of water while at play, little Jessie Ann Garner, 1 year and 11-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Garner, of Magazine Point, drowned Sunday afternoon at 2:10 o'clock, where the Chickasawbogue Creek joins Mobile River."